Water Wise Denton

To attract butterflies to your garden, it’s crucial to plant the right vegetation. Butterflies rely on various plants for nourishment, shelter, and as hosts for their larvae. A diverse selection of host plants and nectar sources will help support different butterfly species. For example, monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants like butterfly weed, and their caterpillars feed on milkweed leaves. Adults, on the other hand, enjoy nectar from flowers such as mistflower, lantana, sunflowers, frostweed, and goldeneye. You can refer to Enticing North Texas Butterflies for a more comprehensive list.

In Denton, efforts to promote monarch migration have earned it the title of Monarch City since 2018. Monarch butterflies pass through Denton in the spring and fall, although the timing may vary each year. You can monitor their movement via Journey North Maps.

Beyond host and nectar plants, butterflies also need water and shelter. To create a water source, place stones or sticks in a dish of water to prevent them from drowning. Monarchs follow an impressive life cycle: after hatching on milkweed leaves, caterpillars feed for about two weeks before transforming into a chrysalis and emerging as butterflies. Adult monarchs feed on nectar, and in the fall, they embark on a remarkable migration of up to 3,000 miles across North America.

On March 22nd at Emily Fowler Central Library from 11:00am-12:00pm learn how to create a Monarch oasis with a representative of the Native Plant Society of Texas. From planting native, including milkweed, and providing a water source, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of gardening for these amazing pollinators. First 10 participants to arrive will also receive a grab and grow box that includes 4 4-inch nectar plants and 2 milkweed plants.

Monarch butterfly: Monarch Butterfly | National Wildlife Federation

As the temperatures rise and the grass starts to grow, many homeowners feel the urge to bring out their mowers and get to work. However, before you start mowing, it's crucial to consider a few important factors to ensure your lawn remains healthy and vibrant.

Firstly, consider raising the blade on your mower. Cutting your grass too short can lead to various problems, including increased susceptibility to drought, pests, and diseases. By keeping your grass taller, you help it retain moisture and nutrients more effectively. Taller grass blades shade the soil, reducing water evaporation and keeping the roots cooler. Additionally, raising your mower blade promotes the presence of native insects that help repel pests naturally, reducing the need for chemical treatments.

Another key point to remember is the "one-third rule" of mowing. The blades of your grass should never be cut more than one-third of their height at a time. This helps prevent stress on the grass and encourages healthier growth. Different grass species have varying optimal heights, so it's important to know the recommended height for your specific type of grass. Here are some general guidelines:

Bermudagrass: Mow 1 to 2 inches weekly.

St. Augustine: Mow 2.5 to 4 inches weekly.

Zoysiagrass: Mow 1 to 2.5 inches weekly but may differ by variety.

Buffalograss: Mow 3 to 4 inches infrequently and this will vary from monthly to twice per year depending on the variety.

By following these recommendations, you can ensure that your lawn remains healthy and attractive throughout the growing season. So, the next time you reach for your mower, take a moment to adjust the blade height and give your grass the care it deserves. Your lawn will thank you with lush, green growth and fewer pest problems.

Texas Turfgrasses - AggieTurf

Icy temperatures ahead! Please turn off your irrigation system and refrain from irrigating during the freezing temperatures predicted 2/18 - 2/22. Your cooperation will prevent pipes from bursting and creating icy conditions on the roads nearby.

If you see commercial irrigation systems running, please reach out to us anonymously here: https://dentontx.citysourced.com/ at engage Denton or by emailing conservewater@cityofdenton.com and as a next step we will make contact with the property owner to ensure their irrigation system is turned off. Most often commercial systems are "set it and forget it" and the property owner is not aware the system is running.

Ahead of the snow on Thursday January 9^th, 2025, turn off your irrigation system. Your grass and plants are in a dormant state, so it is unnecessary to water in the winter months. Additionally, turning off your irrigation system will prevent pipes from bursting and mitigate the icy conditions for the roads nearby.

It is important to refer to your controller manual on how to turn off your system and it is recommended to contact your irrigator.

With the below freezing temperatures we’ve recently, it’s important to double check that your backflow device is protected. Like other plumbing fixtures that sit outside, as water freezes it can break pipes leading to significant water leaks that often can go undetected for weeks. After a period of freezing weather, or whenever you turn on your irrigation system again, be sure to uncover your backflow assembly and inspect it for any leaks or damage.

You may recognize backflow devices from your yard, but many are unaware of the important role they play in keeping drinking water safe. There are several different scenarios which can lead to water running from your irrigation system back into the water supply system. This can introduce contaminants that make water unsafe to drink. Keeping these protected and inspected annually can go a long way to ensuring safe drinking water for your family and community.

Take a look at the graphic below describing how to safely winterize the backflow device in your yard.

Rain barrels are a great way to harvest rain for watering potted plants and landscapes. The best place for a rain barrel is underneath a roof corner where all the water falls or the end of a downspout. This is an effective way to conserve water and save some money. You can purchase a rain barrel or make your own using a large container, adding a debris screen to the top, an overflow hose at the top and installing a spigot at the bottom. Make sure to elevate your barrel so that it can gravity feed. Pictured below are some ideas for your rain barrel.

For more information check out:

Soak Up the Rain: Rain Barrels | US EPA

A soil moisture sensor is technology that detects the amount of moisture underground and keeps the irrigation system from watering when the soil is saturated. This provides real time information keeping systems from overwatering. It can be purchased as an add on to your irrigation system to help water more efficiently. The types of soil moisture sensors that can be purchased range in technology so check out the link below to find the best one for your system.

Soil Moisture-Based Irrigation Controllers | US EPA

A shut off valve is a plumbing fixture that can turn off the water in your home. Individual shut off valves can usually be found behind or underneath the appliance in your home. Your main water shut off valve is typically going to be along an outside wall that faces your street. It is important to know where your main shut off valve is in case you need to turn off your water to make repairs. Outside your home will be another shut off at the water meter. You will need a water meter key to access this, which can be purchased at a local hardware store.

Help clean Denton's waterways this Saturday December 7th.

Temperatures dipping below freezing for a long period of time can be fatal to your home's water system if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Here are a few things you can do:

1. For every faucet, turn on the cold tap and let the water drip a slow, steady stream. This should be about 7 drops a minute.
2. Open the cabinets below where the pipes are located for every faucet, especially areas of your home where an outside wall is directly on the other side.
3. Cover your outside faucets. You can buy faucet covers, or you can DIY using a towel and some tape.
4. Turn off your sprinklers!